US readers may know all about Ninkasi‘s Space Brewing Program, but for the uninitiated, let us explain…

In 2014, Ninkasi, based in Eugene, OR, founded the Ninkasi Space Program. Their aim was to push the boundaries of brewing; why stick to conventional methods when you can do something a little extra(-terrestrial)? With this in mind, their goal was to send yeast into space – for it to survive the journey there and back – then use it to brew Ground Control, their bourbon-barrel aged, imperial stout. Sounds sort of ridiculous, doesn’t it? But yet also brilliant.

Obviously this wasn’t a simple affair and the first attempt didn’t quite go according to plan. Mission One, launched from Nevada’s Black Rock desert in July 2014, but when the yeast returned to earth, it landed 9 miles away from the intended site. It took them 27 days to recover it and by then the yeast was no longer viable.

Not to be disheartened, Ninkasi regrouped and tried again in October 2014 with the help of UP Aerospace – a Denver-based company dealing in private spaceflight – in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Their rocket, SpaceLoft-9, reached 77 miles above the Earth with six vials of yeast, before coasting back down again (in the intended spot this time), and it was suitable for brewing!

The aply-named, Ground Control, first hit the shelves in April 2015, and has become an annual release with a number of variants. The latest version (released in 2017) was brewed with Oregon Hazelnuts, Star Anise and Cocoa Nibs; it’s a blend of fresh Ground Control and Ground Control aged in Woodford Reserve Bourbon Barrels. Mmmm, space beer…